“Our global demo fleets continue to provide insight into the needs of electric vehicle customers living in urban environments,” said Federico. “The Spark EV is another step in Chevrolet’s plan to provide customers with a variety of electrification solutions to address the lifestyle and transportation needs of people around the world.”

The vehicle has a bit more bulbous nose than the standard Spark, and unknown is the weight difference between it and the standard Spark.

Also undisclosed is its driving range, recharge time, battery size and other performance measurements are being withheld until closer to launch.

Where the vehicle will be built and what it will cost are further mysteries.

We tried to get additional details, but were told by GM Spokesman Randal Fox that it will have to wait.

“More information on the Spark EV will not be coming until next year,” Fox said.

Into the future

With the Spark EV, GM will be positioned to compete against electric vehicles pending from other automakers.

Aside from Tesla and Nissan, electric models are soon expected from Ford, Toyota, Mitsubishi and Kia.

Among obvious fuel-saving and environmental advantages, these battery powered mobility solutions will also improve their makers’ fleet emissions averages to better meet looming government regulations.

Looking at the horizon with short-term lenses, it could also be observed that GM’s announcement comes during shaky economic times, with gasoline prices having trended lower, and advanced-tech sales recently declined.

But negative forecasts are a risk GM is bucking against with moderate caution, and in its favor, it has recently said it is in the best financial shape it has been in many years.

Long term, the company has reiterated that it believes in electrification, and with the Spark EV, it again put its money where its mouth is, albeit cautiously, given its limited anticipated roll-out.

The little EV will join the list of promised electrified vehicles with the also-anticipated extended-range Cadillac ELR, which will reside on the other end of GM’s luxury spectrum.
GM said ELR development is only now starting, and declined to say when it should be expected.

which is supposedly the first compact car GM has ever gotten right, at least according to Car and Driver.

van

The key is whether the A123 battery specific energy will be over 200W/kg. We do not need another $33,000 EV with a day in and day out range of 70 miles or less. What we need is a $23,000 city car with a day in and day out range of 120 miles or more. The next generation Leaf with its “186 mile range” seems to have the juice but will it drop the price into the available market?

I am against conspiracy theories, but when ICE makers come out with products that do not hit the market and are thus doomed to failure (Volt, Leaf) it does make you wonder.

Max Reid

Smart is 2-seater while Spark is 4-seater. Since Miev is priced @ 29K, this 1 which is much smaller @143 inches should cost around 25K. Thats good for many people who have around 70-80 mile commute every day.

Almost all companies are in with their EVs
Nissan-Leaf
Mitsubishi-Miev
Ford-Focus
Honda-Fit
Toyota-RAV4
Tesla-Model S
BMW-i3
Audi-A2

No other go, but GM has to join this EV race.

Capt. Concernicus

“But negative forecasts are a risk GM is bucking against with moderate caution, and in its favor, it has recently said it is in the best financial shape it has been in many years.”

—I’m still waiting for my fricken’ thank you GM!!! Or have you forgotten that you took my tax money, so that you could be in the best financial shape of your life, which like someone else said has only been about 2 years.

–I’m not angry. I just want my thank you. That’s all. 🙂

Max Reid

Hello Van

Next year, Tesla comes out with Model S with 300 mile range. That will set a new mark that EVs can also go 300 mile / charge. Ofcourse, its an expensive car, but it competes with high end cars like Benz S600 and BMW i760 with those massive v12 engines.

Tesla also has plans for Model X which will be a small CUV priced in 30s. Its all getting exciting.

MrEnergyCzar

I just got my first Chevy, the Chevy Volt, and attached my test drive video here….

Just re-release the EV1 with today’s improved battery tech. You’d have a better vehicle than this 3rd world minicar converted into an EV. Probably get over 200 mile range on the same design that came from the 1990’s.

You suck GM.

Indigo Halo

I think the Spark is a pretty cute little car. I just wonder if 25 miles is enough range for a commuter in America. Didn’t GM state that 40 miles was the target number for getting 80% of Americans to and from work every day?